Health

SUN SAVVY

part two, sunscreens

Gone are the days of slathering on oil and baking in the sun for hours. From a health standpoint, we all know that overexposure to UV-rays can change the texture and weaken the elasticity of the skin causing premature wrinkling, uneven skin tone and even cancer.

Now the goal is to have a healthy, fresh, yet subtle glow – a natural sun-kissed look. Advances in sun care products are making it easier to get that convincing glow without damaging your skin. The new SPF formulas, available in sheer creams, fine mists and lightweight gels, will screen out the harmful rays.

With separate product categories for those with sensitive skin, sunscreens that work well under makeup and a section for natural products, here are our favorites.

SUNSCREENS FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Being sun savvy can be tough with sensitive skin. Chemical sun blockers can cause itching, tingling and redness, while mineral sunscreens can mean goopy, chalky-faced misery. So choosing the right sunscreen for sensitive skin is key, and now the options are more plentiful than ever.

When it comes to sun protection, K-beauty brands have it on lock. Take, for example, this lightweight, fast-absorbing, un-chalky version that doubles as a moisturizer, making it perfect for dry and redness prone types. Neogen Dermalogy Day-Light Protection Sunscreen SPF 50, $30, www.sephora.com

Kid-friendly sunscreens are always a good bet for sensitivity-prone skintypes. This version – a gentle version of Shiseido’s beloved Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion – opts for mineral UV blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to give you all of the SPF with none of the sting. Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion for Sensitive Skin & Children SPF 50+, $42, www.sephora.com

Some mineral sunscreens can feel like they’re sucking all of the moisture out of your skin – a real problem for those already prone to dryness. Thanks to skin-soothers like colloidal oatmeal and shea butter, you’ll never have that problem with this sunscreen/moisturizer combo.First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Pure Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer, $30, www.sephora.com

Eau Thermale Avene has made a name for itself among sensitive types for their gentle formulas. This one, a mineral-based sunscreen, goes on so silky smooth that wearing it under makeup is a dream. Eau Thermale Avene Mineral Light Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion, $36, www.dermstore.com

When it comes to sun protection, K-beauty brands have it on lock. Take, for example, this lightweight, fast-absorbing, un-chalky version that doubles as a moisturizer, making it perfect for dry and redness prone types. Neogen Dermalogy Day-Light Protection Sunscreen SPF 50, $30, www.sephora.com

SUNSCREENS THAT WORK WELL WITH MAKEUP

Although most foundations offer some SPF protection, the percentage usually is low. To be safe, use a sunscreen product prior to makeup application. Layer one of these luxurious SPF creams, powders, sticks or gels as the last step in your skincare routine right before you apply your foundation.

This all-mineral sunscreen is perfect for sensitive or reactive skin types. It blends in clear and weightless, so you can move right on to foundation. Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++, $65, www.murad.com

This silky sunscreen smells and feels just like the most luxurious day cream you could imagine–except it happens to also be spiked with major broad-spectrum SPF 50.Clé de Peau Beauté Protect Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+, $120, www.neimanmarcus.com

Perfect for tossing in your straw tote on a weekend getaway, this sunscreen won’t irritate even the most sensitive-skinned in your family, including the kids.Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50+, $42, www.nordstrom.com

NATURAL SUNSCREENS

If you’ve decided to boycott chemical sunscreens – either because your skin was irritated or you are concerned about their harmful effects – then your only other choice is a formula consisting of zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Here are our favorite silky formulas that make pasty-white noses a thing of the past.